Fritz

(S05E15) I can't believe we're already at the end of the season for The Closer. Alas, it's true. Until next summer, this is it for Brenda and Fritz and the Major Crime Unit. Fortunately, they saved a good one for the finale. Has Brenda been so hip-deep in work that she's neglected the important things in life? That seemed to be one of the concerns, as well as the fun of dealing with someone who -- at best -- is a thorn in Chief Johnson's side. For all that and more, jump to the next page and tell Joel the cat he's not allowed on the table.

Major crimes was back on the job with a case that was gruesome and grim at the same time. How Brenda managed to face the morning crime scene without blanching is proof that she's as tough as nails beneath that smiling, sweet Southern facade. Brenda needed to be when dealing with a triple homicide, gang rape and possible gang war. Welcome to L.A. More on the case and the kitty situation, after the jump.

(S05E11) After last week's show, it was great to see The Closer bounce back with a particularly strong episode. The case itself wasn't overly complicated or multi-layered, as some Major Crimes are, but that's probably because Brenda literally wandered into this one. And she wasn't alone. Charlie, her niece from Atlanta, was in the car. More on the Brenda/Charlie relationship as well as the case, after the jump.

(S05E05) Sometimes you'll see an episode of a show and everything is going along as you expect, you're entertained and intrigued, the actors and writers and producers and director have done their job well. For most of this episode, that was the case. If only that were true about the last five minutes.

There is no sense in gang violence, even as it was presented in this show. But the random, out of the blue quality made the ending even more senseless.

(S05E04) After an intense, heavy-duty The Closer last week, it was probably a wise move to roll out a lighter episode. That's what this show was, a change of pace with some insight into the delicate dance that makes Fritz and Brenda's relationship work.

The decision to not work together since they're not married was news to me. But Fritz had an ulterior motive in getting Major Crimes into the case of missing person Austin Blair. The motive was not just to distract Brenda Leigh from her grief of losing Kitty, but at first that seemed to be his intent.

(S04E12) "Believing something to be true and proving it, two different things." - Pope

This is why The Closer is one of the best drama series on TV. When they choose to do a comical episode, which this episode was, they have the ability to hit it out of the park. Without question, this was a home run episode. Funny, clever, wry, involving and memorable. Starting from the moment Brenda said she was using a "personal" day -- as if a workaholic like her could even conceive of such a thing -- to the coup de grace ending when Keith (more on him later) slipped the cuffs and said, "Now you see me, now you don't" -- I rate this one of the best of all.

While Brenda was trying to enjoy the personal time, her parents are still there. Clay's grouchier than ever and fussing about his health and Willie Rae has her own timetable going for getting on the cruise ship to Hawaii. Both character traits, the irascibility and the determination are familiar to viewers because Brenda's a tintype of her folks; even if she would be loathe admitting it.

"Margaritas. One is never enough. Two is too many. And 12, well, you're looking at 12."

(S04E02) Is this our Brenda? So happy, so horny, so friendly and jovial. After last week's heavy duty episode, with the fires and the serial arsonist with the creepy (also very beguiling) smile, this episode found Brenda in a playful mood. Don't you love a well-rounded character?

It was very romantic the way Brenda was awakened by Fritzie, and for a show that tends to show more of the neurotic Brenda than the sexy Brenda, this was a lovely change of pace. And if you can consider a story in which homeless drunks are run over (and over) by cars -- vehicular homicide indeed -- for insurance money a light, comic turn, then this episode qualifies.